Bullock Creek's Nick Violette, right, blocks for teammate Trent Way on Friday night during the prep football season opener against visiting Meridian.

While Bullock Creeks football team looked a bit rusty in the first half Friday, the Lancers looked more like the well-oiled machine that reached last years Division 5 final in the second half.

Bullock Creek overcame a number of mistakes in the opening week of the prep season, stretching a 6-0 halftime lead over visiting Meridian into a 28-6 victory.

For the Lancers, it was their fourth straight victory over the Mustangs on opening night.

"They wanted to win this game," Bullock Creek coach Darren Kalina said. "These seniors didnt want to be the first class to lose to (Meridian)."

While the Mustangs ultimate goal also was to win the game, Meridian coach Paul Reid wasnt entirely disappointed.

"I dont think the scoreboard reflects the margin of the game. And I think if you go into the Bullock Creek locker room, therere some bruises on those boys," Reid said. " … They (the Lancers) knew they were in a battle, and I think the Mustangs knew they battled.

" … Other than the final score, I was impressed with the effort of our players."

Bullock Creeks effort was impressive, too. The Lancers offense simply kept pounding away until the big-play opportunities presented themselves  finishing with 357 rushing yards, including three runs of 35-plus yards in the second half.

Bullock Creek Lancer Nick Violette comes up short for a pass while being covered by Meridian Mustangs Chase Owl, left, and Steven Kuehne Friday night during the season opener at Bullock Creek High.

"Im happy with what we did," Kalina said. "They packed 11 guys in the box and made it look like there were 15 (defenders) in there. But our philosophy is that youve got to just keep beating on them, and eventually (youll wear the defense down). You saw that in the second half. Pretty soon, those (defensive) kids give up playing."

Despite a lost fumble and four penalties totaling 78 yards in the first half, the Lancers took a 6-0 lead into the break on Brett Burchs 7-yard touchdown pass to Nick Violette late in the first quarter.

The opening minutes of the second half were uneventful until Bullock Creeks Trent Way busted a 35-yard TD run at the 5:51 mark of the third, giving the Lancers a 12-0 lead.

Bullock Creek made it 20-0 on its next possession. Adam Rider broke a couple of tackles at the line of scrimmage and raced up the left sideline for a 70-yard score. Burch then ran in the 2-point conversion just before the end of the third quarter.

According to Reid, his team just wasnt ready to play at Bullock Creeks speed.

"Our guys knew what they were doing, but we didnt simulate Bullock Creeks speed in practice," Reid admitted. "We definitely were prepared (mentally). But you practice at a certain speed, and then we get out here, and the guys are saying, Hey, theyre faster than (what weve practiced at)."

"Thats just knowing where to go and how to get there," Kalina noted of his teams execution. " … Our kids know where to go, and obviously they spend a lot of time on speed training. It shows."

Meridian finally got something going on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Chase Owl outjumped Chad Williams to haul in a high-arcing pass from Mustangs quarterback Mike Van Nortwick. Owls 36-yard reception gave Meridian the ball at the Lancers 10.

Four plays later, on fourth-and-12, Van Nortwick scrambled into the end zone on a broken play to make it 20-6 with 10:25 remaining.

Meridian's Justin Bolan tries to haul in a pass Friday durng the season opener at Bullock Creek.

The Mustangs had a golden opportunity to get back in the game moments later. On Bullock Creeks first play from scrimmage on the ensuing possession, a botched handoff was recovered by Kameron Toner, giving Meridian the ball at the Lancers 25.

But the Mustangs managed no yards on four plays, turning the ball over on downs and opening the door for Bullock Creeks last big play of the night. On the second play of the Lancers next possession, Way bolted for a 66-yard TD, and Rider ran for the 2-point conversion to put the game out of reach.

Way finished with 204 yards on 14 carries, while Rider added 152 yards on 21 attempts.

Meridian managed only 138 total yards.

"Im real happy with the speed that we played at. Defensively, were where we need to be right now," Kalina said. "Obviously, we need to improve. But compared to where we were last year at the same time, Im real happy. Offensively, we should get our points."

Reid said he used the game as a measuring stick for his team, and he liked what he saw.

"We knew going into this game that how we did against the Creek would pretty much set the tone for our season," he said. " … Obviously, youd like to come out with a win, but (the season is) not a sprint. Well get there. When its all said and done, the Mustangs are going to be a good team."

Bullock Creek heads to St. Charles on Thursday, while Meridian hosts Coleman the same night.